Bettering the world, one child at a time

If you have ever had the opportunity to visit the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington, you would know the sense of welcome that immediately greets you at the front door; you would recognize the sound of children laughing, instruments being played and basketballs swooshing through baskets in the massive gymnasium; and you would clearly see the sight of hand-crafted art projects lining classroom walls, and children engaged in various educational and recreational activities throughout the Club. If you have visited, you would — without hesitation — say to yourself: “This is a special place.”

I had the honor of visiting the Club a few months ago and spent the afternoon sitting-in on workshops, chatting with the children and learning about their experiences there. I was moved by the level of dedication exhibited by the Club’s educators and volunteers and their apparent positive impact on each of the more than 550 children who are Club members.

Of the (on average) 130 children who attend the Club on a daily basis, nearly 25 percent of those children qualify for free or reduced lunch at school, and more than 50 percent of the children live in single-parent or non-traditional households. The Club provides these children — and all members of the Club — with the love and support needed to help nurture and develop our county’s future leaders, in conjunction with the children’s parents or guardians.

I encourage you to help support an organization, such as the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club, which is committed to bettering this world, one child at a time.